Terry...try this...with your kayak out of the water. Lock down the rudder....then try to lift the rudder using your hand. If the rudder has any play in it...its going to steer hard. i had the same problem with my IT...it was the rudder retract bunges that retract the handles causing the problem. Once I got them free...the rudder locked down fine and steering was normal again. I also tied my cables together tight over the rudder so if one comes loose...I will not lose steering control. Have not been out since the last fix to try it out...hope thgis helps. There is also information on this site about that same problem.

I realized a couple of weeks ago that I was in fact not locking the rudder all the way down. I've had Hobie Mirages drives for years and was certain I was doing it properly. Not. This problem solved. Thanks for all of the advice and tips.